Genetic Counseling

Our genetic counselors provide comprehensive genetic counseling and testing services for those who may be at increased risk of hereditary cancer. Some individuals have an increased risk of developing cancer based on their personal and/or family history. Several members, across generations, may be affected. We provide evaluation, counseling, testing and referral for appropriate ongoing monitoring, treatment and follow-up.

Hereditary cancers treated include:

Breast

Gynecological cancers: ovarian, uterine and fallopian tube

Gastrointestinal: colon, rectal, pancreatic and gastric

Genitourinary: kidney

Endocrine: thyroid, pituitary and adrenal

Skin: melanoma

We also provide counseling and genetic testing for the following syndromes:

Patients who learn they have a genetic predisposition to cancer have many options, including:

Ongoing surveillance and monitoring of status or precancerous conditions

Immediate action and treatment at the appropriate time

Genetics counseling and testing for family members

Prophylactic surgery, care and follow-up

Access to Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center's Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Program, which helps couples with an increased risk for a specific genetic abnormality to have a child unaffected by that particular disease